ITG 2004

Elisa Koehler, Reporter

ITG Secretary Kevin Eisensmith introduced this inspiring session by reminding the audience that “the very best teachers are still students themselves.” Although the session’s title suggested a discussion of new innovations in teaching, the emphasis was rather traditional and served to remind the audience that good teaching is truly timeless. Panel moderator Ron Modell opened the session by pointing out that many trumpet performers land teaching positions with impressive training in how to play the instrument, but little, if any, training in pedagogy. The panel included four outstanding American trumpet teachers who shared their wisdom: Cathy Leach (University of Tennessee), Ronald Romm (University of Illinois), Judith Saxon (Wichita State University), and Darryl White (University of Nebraska). Alan Cox was originally invited to join the panel, but was not able to attend because of surgery. He did however record his thoughts on teaching, and the session began with the playing of his recording.

Alan Cox regaled those in attendance with his perceptive insights and sagacity. He stressed that there are three priorities that must always dominate good teaching: life, art, and craft. Life is an unending journey that requires proper balance and perspective. Craft (technique) exists solely to serve expression, and “virtuosity without expression kills its very self.” Cox went on to encourage teachers to focus on sound, listen to worthy models (especially singers), and to battle unwanted tension. Sounding very much like Socrates, Cox concluded by extolling the virtues of a life based on the pursuit of truth, beauty, and love.

Following Cox’s inspiring recording Cathy Leach joked that there was nothing more to say, so she might as well go home. But the audience was lucky that she stayed because she contributed a wealth of practical advice. Stressing that she believed music to be a positive force in the world; Leach outlined five strategies for training artistic athletes: 1) introducing new musical concepts, 2) challenging them to raise goals, 3) demanding that they erase technical deficiencies, 4) providing chamber music experience, and 5) demonstrating good playing. Through all of her comments Leach emphasized the primacy of musicianship over technique and the value of reading.

Ronald Romm echoed Leach’s positive approach and stressed the importance of “empowering the people around us.” He related that his 29 years with the Canadian Brass (an average of 130 concerts each year) taught him so much that “every rehearsal was like a lesson.” Admonishing the audience that teachers have “the power to crush,” he pointed out that competition and comparison can negatively impact a student’s motivation, and that “the only way to fail is to quit.”

Judith Saxon emphasized the psychological dimension of teaching. She stressed the importance of “getting past the instrument” to make music and the significance of creativity in lessons. She recommended that we “sing, buzz, and play… I sing all the time!” This was a lesson she learned from her studies with Arnold Jacobs. Saxon also commented that, “the trumpet is very humbling; you learn a lot about yourself through your struggles.”

Darryl White noted the presence of Bobby Shew in the audience as an example of listening to great players and developing the ear. He said that his teaching philosophy centers on clear communication and providing students with opportunities for success and motivation. Noting the importance of a good warm up, he stressed that it should always sound good and that there is no excuse for sounding bad for the first ten minutes of the day.

The session ended with a lively question and answer period. Informative handouts that included recommended the teaching materials of the five panelists were distributed to the appreciative audience.